MDM Mining & Civil has been named Indigenous Business of the Year at the 2026 AEMEE National Awards, held on Thursday 5 November at the Broome Civic Centre on Yawuru Country in Rubibi (Broome).
The awards closed the 19th annual Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration (AEMEE) Conference. They recognise Indigenous businesses making a real contribution to Australia's resources sector through employment, training, innovation and commercial partnerships.
For a 100% Indigenous owned contractor that started in Kununurra in 2020, it is a proud moment for the whole MDM team.
Built on Country, focused on delivery
MDM was founded by Gija man Mika McLennon with a simple idea. If we are going to work on Country, we should leave it better than we found it, and we should bring our people with us.
Six years on, MDM delivers mine rehabilitation and closure, mine site development, bulk civil earthworks, heavy haulage, tailings and water infrastructure, and engineering, survey and project management across Northern Australia.
That work includes:
Argyle Diamond Mine closure and rehabilitation for Rio Tinto, returning the land to Country in the East Kimberley.
The Tanami Road upgrade for Main Roads WA, a long-term project connecting communities between Western Australia and the Northern Territory, where MDM Crushing & Screening has processed around 30,000 tonnes of material.
A growing presence in the Northern Territory, with MDM now operating out of Kununurra and across the Territory.
MDM runs a fleet of more than 86 owned machines, all fitted with GPS machine control. The business is Triple ISO certified (9001, 45001 and 14001) and supported by in-house engineers, project managers and surveyors.
People first
MDM's real measure of success is the people it brings with it. A quarter of the workforce is Indigenous, and more than a third are Kununurra locals. That means jobs, careers and pay packets staying in the Kimberley.
MDM also backs Indigenous business through its supply chain. A formal procurement policy gives preference to Traditional Owner and Indigenous owned suppliers.
For Our Elders
Every piece of MDM plant carries three words: For Our Elders. It is a reminder of why the team turns up every day.
“This award belongs to our team. Every operator, every engineer and every person in our office helped build this. To our clients, thank you for backing an Indigenous business. And to every young Aboriginal person thinking about this industry, there is a seat for you, and we'll help you get there."
Mika McLennon, Founder and Director, MDM Mining & Civil
Thank you
Thank you to AEMEE and CEO Jyi Lawton for an outstanding conference, and congratulations to every finalist and winner on the night. Thank you also to our clients and partners, including Rio Tinto and Main Roads WA, and most of all to the MDM crews who make this possible.
Work with MDM
Looking for an Indigenous owned mining and civil contractor in Northern WA or the Northern Territory? Get in touch with our team or explore our mine rehabilitation and closure and full range of services.
Want to build a career with us? See our current opportunities.
